'Talking about the same things': Public comment closes on proposed Norwich business park

Occum residents near the city’s proposed second business park have been vigilantly voicing their concerns, and Tuesday night was no different.

A second Commission on the City Plan public hearing was held Tuesday on the proposed 12-lot subdivision with a new road and dedicated open space. Due to an abundance of information, the commission decided to close the hearing process, though members will not vote on it until their January meeting, or at a special meeting before the regular February meeting.

Residents from the area in and around Canterbury Turnpike and Lawler Lane brought new information to the commission’s attention, including Frederick Browning presentation of a report from Trinkaus Engineering. The report was critical of Norwich Community Development Corporation’s plans for the subdivision and how it would handle various water-related aspects, like erosion and stormwater.

The corporation has already received approval from other city entities, including the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission.

The commission had asked NCDC to extend the hearing period, as they wanted to consult with other city entities on this matter, but NCDC declined the request. NCDC President Kevin Brown felt it was fair for them to extend their decision-making time, but not ending the public hearing period would’ve just continued the back and forth, he said.

“Anyone who is intellectually honest will acknowledge we keep talking about the same things over and over again,” Brown said.

Before this, the commission held a site walk on Dec. 12, and had its first hearing on the matter on Nov. 21. At the prior hearing, NCDC President Kevin Brown and NCDC Attorney Mark Block said the Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission would still have to review the proposal as a modification to the permit. Wetlands approved the modification on Dec. 7, as proposed sediment and erosion controls were deemed enough to protect the wetlands, meeting minutes from the respective commissions stated.

A variety of concerns were noted during the Nov. 21 hearing, including traffic safety, a possible roundabout and the need for a traffic study as well as blasting, wildlife, light pollution, and traffic speed, according to the Nov. 21 minutes.

The Norwich Community Development Corporation has long wanted to build a second business park in Occum, as the proposed land is the largest piece of open land left in the city at 384 acres. The city began its work developing the old farmland in 2018, after prior attempts, including one for a golf course, failed. Opposition from residents of the area began in the fall of 2022, as they expressed a desire to keep their quiet and wooded area from being disturbed by development, The Bulletin reported on Oct. 31, 2022, and Nov. 10, 2022.

They say the Norwich Business Park is almost out of usable space.

During the meeting, NCDC’s legal representation, Attorney Mark Block, reminded the Commission that they have limited powers, and the sum of the decision would be saying yes or no to whether the subdividing follows all the necessary regulations, which he and the others representing the applicant insist it does.

Explaining changes from last time, Jeff Bord, an engineer from Bohler Engineering, talked about areas for water permeability and filtration, and a 50-foot easement around a historic cemetery that would have abutted the proposed subdivision otherwise. The buffer zone can be expanded to 100 feet, can have evergreens planted, and can require buildings on that lot to be shorter.

Among other technical information, Bord also further explained a proposed roundabout by Canterbury Turnpike is designed to prevent large trucks from going onto Canterbury Turnpike, but still allows for emergency vehicles.

The NCDC team also reminded the public that there would be opportunities for them to raise concerns as each lot is developed. This stage is only a review of the subdivision plan, not a site development plan.

Other concerns raised by the public on Tuesday include potential noise at the site, what might happen with the roundabout, and questions about how well the area can handle stormwater.

Browning introduced the engineer Steven Trinkaus and had him speak about his concerns. Block disagreed with the residents presenting Trinkaus’ report at that time without giving NCDC sufficient time to review it in advance of the meeting.

Brown mentioned after the meeting that NCDC, as the applicant, has to submit documents 21 days in advance, and felt it was unfair that Browning was able to submit the Trinkaus report “at the literal last minute.”

When asked about it afterward, Browning said everyday people don’t have their own engineering departments, and these things take time to get done.

“We had other people review (Trinkaus’ work) so we weren’t passing a piece of junk to them,” he said.

Browning also said the Commission has integrity by taking the time to analyze all the information presented to them, and not rushing a decision on Tuesday. He also felt there was some movement concerning how close one lot was to both the cemetery and houses, and how close another lot was to Scotland Road and Canterbury Turnpike.

“There was some movement, but we’re still very concerned about height, about water, and boundary lines,” he said.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Occum residents express concerned about proposed Norwich business park